Device for flushing drain outlets



July l, 1930.

L. N. HITCHCOCK DEVICE FOR FLUSHING. DRAIN OUTLETS Filed Nov. 14. 1928 f S Y\\\\\\\\\\\ W/Wm al l. .I|||||| Patented July l, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOUIS N.HITCHCOCK, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ABSIGNOR .10 SAMUEL SIL'VES, 0F WATERLOO, IOWA DEVICE FOB FLUSHING DRIN OUTLETS Application led November 14, 1928. Seri-a1 No. 319,386.

v drain-outlet to the end that a relatively large volume of air, under relatively high pressure, may be suddenly released for flow to the 16 drain-outlet.

One of my objects is to provide a device of the character stated which may be readily, conveniently, and eectually used by one person without requiring the aid of another.

Another object is to provide a construction which may be used to the maximum effectiveness, for iiushing drain-outlets covered with strainers, as in the case of kitchen sinks, and drain-outlets presenting sockets, as in the case of bath tubs.

Another obj ect is to generally improve upon devices of this general character to the endv that they will be better adapted to perform the work for which they are provided; and will be simplified and rendered more compact and positively operating; and other objects as will be manifest from the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a device of the general character above stated Aconstructed in accordance with my invention- Figure 2 is a section taken at line 2-2 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow, a portion of the dischargepipe for the compressed air and a portion of the air-receptacle, being broken away, and the cup at the outlet thereof being positioned for use with drain-outlets of the socket type, such as are commonly provided in bath-tubs; and Figure 3, a view in side elevation of the lower end of the discharge-pipe of the device with the cup at the outlet thereof positioned l0 for use in connection with strainer-equipped the irregularv drain-outlets, as for example in the case of sinks.

The particular construction shown comprises a receptacle for compressed air shown as, and preferably, in the form of a cylinder 4 containing an opening 5 lin its lower end into which is screwed the upper end of a rigid discharge pipe 6, the upper end of this pipe extending above the bottom of the cylinder.

Extending through the upperend of the cylinder 4 and into theinterior thereof, is a hand-pump represented enerally at 7, this pump comprising a cylin er 8'provided about its upper end portion with a gland 9 screw-A ing into the opening 10 in the cylinder 4 through which the cylinder 8, downwardly extends, the gland 9 eing in the form of a nut and screwing down upon a gasket shown at 11. Reciprocable in the pump cylinder 8 is a piston 12 connected with a reciprocable stem 13 which extends upwardly through the top of the cylinder 8 and is equipped with a handgrip 14 by which to o erate the piston.

The bottom of the cylin er 8 contalns an opening 15 normally closed by a flap-valve 16 secured to the bottom of cylinder 8, as by a rivet 17, this valve serving to permit air, compressed by the pump 7, to discharge into the receptacle 4, but prevent its escape back into the pump-cylinder.

It will be understood that by operating the pump 7 air-pressure to the desired de-f gree may be built up in the receptacle 4, the latter preferably opening into a pressuregage 18 mounted on the top of the receptacle 4.

The device also comprises valve means for controllin the discharge of the built-up pressure rom the receptacle 4 through the discharge pipe 6, the valve means shown comprisin a valve proper 19 preferably formed of ruber and of the general conical shape shown and adapted to extend downwardly into the upper open end 'of the pipe 6 and effectually close the latter against escape of the air therethrough as shown in Fig. 2. The valve proper .19 is mounted on the lowerpend 'of a valve stem 20, the latter being preferably threaded at 20", n the case of ordinary wood screws, at which the thread bein-g such as 1n the stem is screwed into the valve proper 19. The stem 20 is preferably formed of two f sections, the lower section 21, which is directly connected with the valve 19 as stated, and an upper section22 which extends slidingly through a stuhng box 23 in the top of the receptacle 4, its upper end being provided with a finger grip 24 by which the valve 19 may be readily raised and lowered.

The connection between the sections21 and 22 is preferably of such character as to permit of the shifting of the valve 19 any direction in a horizontal plane to permit it to conformingly seat upon the upper end of the pipe 6 and form a tight joint. Such a connection is provided in the arrangement shown by forming a socket 25 in the lower end of the stem-section 22 into which the upper end of the stem-section 21 loosely extends, and connecting these sections together by a pin 25a mounted in the lower end of the stem-section 22 and extending loosely through the section 21.

The pin 25L also operates, in conjunction with the lower end of the stuffing box 23, as a stop to prevent the lifting of the valve proper 19 entirely out of the pipe 6.

By employing the valve mechanism shown and described a quick release of the air pressure to the discharge ipe 6 may be effected.

The lower end of t e rigid pipe 6 is provided with a device 26 shown as of Ygeneral cup form and so constructed that when positioned on the pipe 6 as shown in Fig. 2 it may be caused to tightly t, at its lower tapering end, drain-outlets of varyin sizes such as are commonly provided in ath tubs and lavatories, and when positioned reversely on the pipe 6 as shown in Fig. 3 may be used in connection with other forms of drain outlets such as strainer outlets as in the case of kitchen sinks and drain outlets of waterclosets.

The cup is preferably provided with a peripheral annular iange 26a located above its terminal lower edge 26b to form with the sides of the bowl of a water-closet at the outlet of the latter, a tight joint, supplementing the joint made with the bowl at the lower terminal edge 261 of the cup.

Where it is desired that disinfectant be supplied to the drain-outlets in the iushing thereofl with air, this'ma be conveniently accomplished by pouring t e desired amount of disinfectant into the receptacle 4, as for example through the discharge pipe 6, the valve 19 having been preliminarily unseated.

While any desirable form of valve controlling the discharge of air, compressed by the pump 7, into the receptacle 4 may be provided, it is preferred that this valve be of the flap type and of the construction shown coinprising atwise-opposed strips 16 and 16b of rubber and spring metal, such-as spring steel, respectively. v

'cable valve controllin The improvements described make for simplicity and economy of structure; facilitates the use of the device, it being possible for one person, without the aid of another person, to readily operate it; and adapts the device for use with a large variety of drain outlets; and accomplishes other advantages as will be manifest from the foregoing. 4

While I have illustrated and described a particular construction embodying my in vention, I do not wish to be understood asintending to limit it thereto as the saine may be variousl modified and altered without departing fiiom the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A device of the character set forth, comprising a receptacle for the storage of compressed air, a pump connected with said receptacle and having an outlet communicating with the interior of said receptacle, said receptacle having an outlet, and a reciprocable valve controlling the discharge of the air from said receptacle through said outlet located in said receptacle and having a valvepro er and a stem extending lengthwise of sai receptacle.

2. A device of the character set forth, comprising a receptacle for the storage of compressed air, a pump connected with said receptacle and having an outlet communicating with the interior oflsaid receptacle, said receptacle having an outlet, and a reci rothe dischar e o the air from said receptac e through said outlet, comprising a valve proper, and a sectional stem, the sections of which are flexibly conn'ected together, one of said sections being connected-with said valve pro er and the other thereof sliding in an opening in a wall of said receptacle.

3. A device of the character set forth com-v prisin a receptacle for the storage of compresse air, a pump connected with said receptacle and having an outlet communicating with the interior of said receptacle, said receptacle having an outlet, and a. reciprocable valve controlling the dischar e of the air from said receptacle through said outlet, comprising a valve proper, which in seating 115 extends into the outlet of said receptacle, means for operating said valve proper and stop means for preventin withdrawal of aid valve proper from said receptacle-out- 4. device of Athe character set forth, comprising a receptacle for the storage of com-A pressed air, a pump connected with said receptacle and having an outlet communicating with the interior of said receptacle, said '.125 receptacle having an outlet, and a reciprocable valve controllin the discharge of the air from said receptacIe through said outlet, comprising a valve proper, which in seating extends, into the outlet of said receptacle, a

sectional stem, the sections of which are exihly connected together, one of said sections being connected with said valve properand the other thereof sliding in an'opemng in a t wall of said receptacle, and stop means for preventing withdrawal of said valve proper from said receptacle-outlet. u 5. A device of the character set forth, comprising a receptacle forthe storage of compressed air, a pump connected with said receptacleand having an voutlet communicating with the interior of said receptacle, said receptacle having an outlet, and a reci rocable valve controllin the dischar e o the air from said receptac e through sald outlet, comprising a valve proper, which in seating extends into the outlet of said receptacle, a sectional stem, one of said sections being connected with said valve proper and the other thereof sliding in an opening in a wall .of said receptacle and means flexibly connecting said sections together and formin a stop for reventng withdrawal of said va ve x proper rom said receptacle-outlet. LOUIS N. HITCHCOCK. 

